Catcher Salvy Perez is expected to overrun his allotted bereavement leave, following the death of his maternal grandmother in Venezuela, and not return until next week to the Royals’ lineup. “He’ll be back Monday,” manager Ned Yost said. “He’s going to miss a couple of days’ pay, but his mom is more important. You want to get mad about it, but he’s got his priorities right. He’s got to take care of his mom.”

Major League rules permit players to take bereavement leave lasting from three to seven days with pay. Perez’s leave started last Saturday.

Backup George Kottaras and Adam Moore, who had been playing at Class AAA Omaha, have split the catching duties in Perez’s absence. Moore started Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers.

Perez’s absence has taken a .311 average out of the Royals’ lineup at a time when they are struggling to score runs. He is also regarded as one of the game’s top defensive catchers.

Monday is an open date in the Royals’ schedule, and current plans call for Perez to work out that day at Kauffman Stadium to gauge to readiness to play in Tuesday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins.

Kottaras and Moore, prior to Friday, were a combined one for 19 with two walks in Perez’s absence.